MOSCOW, January 17 Isolated cases have appeared, when it turned out that some members of precinct election commissions (PECs) took part in collecting signatures for candidates in the Russian presidential elections, said the head of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Ella Pamfilova.
““We have had isolated cases when it turned out that some members of election commissions, in this case precinct, took part in collecting signatures for one of the candidates,” Pamfilova said at a meeting of the Central Election Commission.
She noted that signatures are now being collected from 8 candidate candidates.
«I want to remind everyone that this is strictly prohibited by law — members of election commissions do not have the right to do this (participate in the collection of signatures — ed.). Those who deliberately did this, breaking the law, will not escape responsibility. This will entail administrative liability and, as a consequence, withdrawal from the commission,» Pamfilova said.
She also said that she has an extremely negative attitude towards cases when, in the midst of a campaign, members of commissions, for various reasons, write statements of resignation from the commission in order to participate in the collection of signatures.
“Such colleagues are not very colleagues for us, because just as deserters during a difficult battle leave the battlefield, betraying their colleagues, comrades, so it is here,” Pamfilova said.
The head of the Central Election Commission emphasized that such commission members seriously let down not only their colleagues, but also harm the candidate. She called on the nominated candidates to check the composition of the commissions on the resources of the Central Election Commission in the regions.
“We will pass this through the State Automated System “Elections” and identify everyone. These signatures will be cancelled,” Pamfilova added.